Clarke schools set to tackle block scheduling

With modified block scheduling approved for Clarke County high schools next year, now comes the task of implementing the dramatic scheduling change.

Like more than 100 school districts across Georgia, Clarke County schools will drop the traditional six 55-minute class routine in 2000-2001, and will adopt some version of block scheduling -- normally based on four 90-minute classes per day.

Students typically take four courses the first semester, then switch to four new second-semester courses in January, or take eight courses simultaneously, alternating four classes each day. Either way, students can earn 33 percent more credits over their high school career than with the traditional six-period day.

But the schedules at Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals high schools won't be as simple as either of those plans, primarily because the Board of Education -- in approving the change to block scheduling last week -- insisted that the schools incorporate some twists to 90-minute classes.

It is likely at least one of the four 90-minute sessions will be split in half so students can take two 45-minute classes during that time, further increasing schedule flexibility and course choices. Cedar Shoals Principal Charles Worthy said potentially three of the four blocks could be split into so-called ''skinnys,'' but any final schedule decisions are still months away.

''Certain courses are going to drive the master schedule, including a number of new courses,'' he said. ''We'll continue with staff development, examine how to conduct registration and start putting the pieces together. Realistically, we don't know how it's going to turn out, but we'll do our best to offer our kids what they want and need.''

The change to block scheduling here and elsewhere has been prompted by an increase in the state's graduation requirement. The Georgia Department of Education now requires 22 credits for gradation, up from 19 credits a few years ago.

Students and parents are interested in additional elective classes in art, Spanish, SAT preparation and technology, among other areas of study, according to surveys taken as the district has studied block scheduling the past three years.

Years of research in Georgia and across the country show that block scheduling generally improves problems related to discipline and attendance, and that students earn more credit and have more course options. However, no definite link has been made between a block schedule and improved academic performance.

On the negative side, research suggests students find it more difficult to make up work when absent and could have problems with retention because there could be a gap of eight months or more between courses in a series -- Algebra I and II, for example.

Each Clarke County high school will have its own course offerings depending on student requests, and it is possible that two new courses could be added in many departments, said Norma McNair, district instructional services director. Mock registrations at both schools later this year will determine what classes are added.

Also, credits required for graduation will increase for incoming freshmen because they can take more courses during their high school career, McNair said.

Block scheduling was originally approved last December for this school year, but the newly-constituted school board reversed that decision in January for further study.

Both Worthy and Clarke Central Principal Maxine Easom have said teachers have been ready for the change all year and have been frustrated the change has taken this long. But parents appreciate the years of study, said Eliana Jordan, former president of the school district Parent Advisory Board.

''One of the main concerns has been making sure parents have enough information, so I'm kind of glad it's taken awhile to make sure it's been fully studied,'' she said. ''I think people are appreciative of the fact they're doing so much research into this.''

Officers with the parent-teacher organizations of both high schools agree that the district is ready for block scheduling. Both groups applauded school district efforts to include parents in the decision-making process through a series of public forums earlier this year.

''It wasn't like this decision was made in a vacuum without the parents of Cedar Shoals. I feel good that the whole spectrum was involved and all had a chance for input,'' said Cheryl Chasteen, president of Cedar Shoals United.

Parents at Clarke Central also support the change, said Pamela Adkins-Ramey, a Clarke Central parent and advisory board vice president. She said the district has done all it can to educate parents and train teachers, and that a visit to a Monroe high school to see block scheduling in action solidified her decision.

''We're finally ready to put this in the hands of the teachers. They've had their training and there's no doubt they're ready to go with this, and that's the most important thing,'' she said.

But years of planning cannot prevent every glitch once block scheduling is implemented, warned Doug Eza, Oconee County School District operations director. Oconee County High School, in its third year of block scheduling, initially suffered a teacher shortage and has had miscommunication with the community concerning revised graduation requirements related to block scheduling, Eza noted.

''I would caution Clarke County to look very carefully at who you have teaching, and making sure all courses are covered adequately,'' he said, adding the high school was about four teachers short because of added courses when the block was implemented in the fall of 1997. ''We found we were short on teachers for electives the first year, so it's better to sweat all the details now rather than later.''

Jackson County Comprehensive High School just began its second year with block scheduling, and its district curriculum director said it has been effective in ''recruiting'' high school students and encouraging a better attitude about school because it increases course options.

''It also revitalized the teachers and the way they look at their courses, content and overall goals,'' said Mary Leuzinger. ''The high school has also done a very good job with workshops before and since the change to review materials and what's going on in the classroom.''